Chris Lloyd-Smith, a partner at Birmingham-based law firm Anthony Collins Solicitors (ACS), has been elected as chair of Resolution’s West Midlands group.
Founded in 1982, Resolution is the largest membership organisation for family justice professionals in England and Wales. With approximately 6,500 members, it advocates a non-confrontational approach to resolving family law issues, such as the separation of families and children.
The organisation also lobbies for a fairer family justice system including their highly-publicised No-Fault Divorce campaign.
Lloyd-Smith will lead the Resolution West Midlands Group, the regional subcommittee of the organisation, which currently has more than 250 members. The group provides training and educational resources to members, ensuring they can support families and individuals during difficult times whilst also promoting alternative methods of dispute resolution which helps families find more amicable solutions and avoids the costs and acrimony associated with the Court.
With its membership covering the Black Country, Wolverhampton, Worcester and Birmingham, West Midlands Resolution Group also provides networking opportunities and raises funds for local charities.
Joining Resolution in 2003, Lloyd-Smith was instrumental in establishing YResolution in the West Midlands, the Resolution board for junior lawyers, serving as its first chair. He will continue to work closely with both YResolution and the Family Law Bar Association (FLBA) in his new role.
Resolution members range from solicitors' legal executives, paralegals, mediators, barristers, financial advisors, accountants, expert witnesses and family therapists, each of whom commit to working with families and individuals to resolve issues in a constructive way.
Resolution also provides support and resources for those who are considering a career in law, with membership extended to students and those working towards qualification, as well as those now stepping back from family practice but who continue to be a supporter of Resolution and its principals.
Chris Lloyd-Smith said: “Helping families and individuals resolve issues following separation in a constructive and non-confrontational way is central to the work of any Resolution member. I am passionate about providing support and guidance to individuals as they navigate through difficult and challenging issues that many never expected they would face.
"I am conscious that the advice and support I provide has the potential to affect the lives of those individuals and their loved ones for many years to come.
“Resolution helps those working in family law by giving them the skills and knowledge to make a huge difference to peoples’ lives. I'm incredibly proud to have been part of the organisation over the last 18 years and am looking forward to widening the support we offer and the membership we have in the West Midlands.”
Peter Hubbard, senior partner at Anthony Collins Solicitors, said: “The work that Resolution does to equip and support lawyers and professionals to bring a constructive approach to family law matters is vitally important.
“Chris’ appointment is reflective of his longstanding commitment to helping people, at what are often some of the most challenging times of their lives.
“On behalf of everyone at ACS, we'd like to congratulate Chris on his election to the role of chair of Resolution West Midlands Group. We are proud to support him as takes on the role and look forward to seeing his enthusiasm and commitment drive the work of the group forward.”
Lloyd-Smith will remain an active member of Anthony Collins Solicitors’ life stage planning team, where he is an accredited family mediator.
A number of Anthony Collins Solicitors’ team already hold voluntary roles in organisations across the region including Rankeshwar Batta (North West Deputy District Judge); Helen Tucker (Midlands Deputy District Judge); Sarah Huntbatch (Assistant Coroner) and Alice Kinder (Deputy Vice President of Birmingham Law Society).
Pictured: Chris Lloyd-Smith
